Editor: Hello to those of you who use water from the Floridan aquifer (almost all who read this). Current rates of withdrawal from the aquifer in northeastern and central Florida are unsustainable — period! Taking water from the St. Johns River will never be enough to supply projected growth and maintain the river’s health.

Editor: Once again the School District is concerned about growth in the student population. A familiar story, it appears just before or after the start of each school year. This time the estimate is 788 new students, or, the number that would fill a typical elementary school if they were all at that age.

Editor: A recent writer referenced the book “Seeds of Destruction” to justify declaring that genetically modified (GM) foods are dangerous. The book’s author, William F. Engdahl, is not a geneticist by training, but has an unusual background. He has written on many subjects espousing beliefs that, to be polite, are not in the scientific “mainstream.” Everyone is entitled to his or her beliefs but not to unsubstantiated facts.

Editor: A recent article in The Record discussed protests in Europe against raising genetically modified food. Despite the clear advantage of such food products, some in the U.S. also object.

Do you eat potatoes or corn, or enjoy a good beefsteak? Through the millennia all have been genetically modified by farmers and ranchers selectively breeding for desired characteristics. If you are interested you can research the facts behind that statement.

Readers of The St. Augustine Record know it publishes opinions and letters that usually fault how Palestinians are treated. In a recent opinion, the term “Palestinian territory” was used. What does this mean, historically or legally?

Editor: According to a recent St. Augustine Record article, a housing development (on Anastasia Island near back entrance to Marsh Creek) approved by the Planning and Zoning Agency will allow 121 new homes to be built. Based on the story the school district must plan on accommodating only 43 new students, or 0.355 students per home (about one student for every three homes).

I welcome the 50 individuals from 27 countries who recently took the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens in St. Johns County. They have followed a correct and difficult path to become citizens of our great country. That path is both necessary and worthwhile for many reasons. Here is a list of criteria and hurdles they overcame to achieve their goal in order to take the Oath.

1. Are at least 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder);

Editor: I am always amused when readers write to complain about your selection of columnists. For the recent complaint a few facts. Although one might disagree with the late Senator Joe McCarthy’s tactics, it has been proven that the Roosevelt Administration was riddled with card-carrying communists and “fellow-travelers.” All one has to do is read the now accessible KGB files. And remember, they were not supporting a benevolent regime. But one that killed millions of its citizens despite the defense of such duped writers as the New York Times Pulitzer Prize winner.

A few thoughts concerning real threats to Israel from Iran vs existential threats to the United States.

First some facts. Israel encompasses approximately 116,000 square miles, the U.S., 3.5 million. Next, Israel is 950 miles from Tehran, the U.S., 6,140. Iran has missiles that can reach Israel; they are trying to develop missiles that would reach the U.S. Iran has stated that Israel should be “wiped off the map.” It calls us “the great Satan.”

Editor: Recently, after reading articles written by students who attended a symposium on China indicating they felt the symposium useful, I listened to the presentations on a website. I heard Peoples Republic of China representatives misrepresent recent actions such as the deliberate collision of a Chinese jet with one of our aircraft flying in international airspace. They also mischaracterized the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. Apparently the students were unaware of these problems.

A recent letter writer, taking issue with an earlier guest column in The St. Augustine Record that described how the county was business friendly, described the problems encountered when applying for a building permit. The writer claimed that not only was it difficult to obtain a permit but in complying with county requests it added an unexpected $100,000 dollars to the cost of the project. For the benefit of businesses that will want to locate in the county, a few facts that will clarify the complaint.